Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chapel Down announces new cricket partnership

Published: 06 April, 2022

UK wine brand Chapel Down has been welcomed into the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as its official sparkling wine.

Hatch Mansfield and Louis Jadot support the on-trade with Bike to Care

Published: 31 March, 2022

In support of the challenging times faced by the on-trade, Hatch Mansfield and Maison Louis Jadot are standing – or cycling – shoulder to shoulder for the inaugural Bike to Care en Bourgogne.

Drinks industry welcomes new personnel in spring reshuffle

Published: 21 March, 2022

Several headline spirit businesses have announced new staff appointments in March, including the Cotswolds Distillery and Mangrove UK.

Premium sales dominate at Concha y Toro for the first time

Published: 17 March, 2022

Viña Concha y Toro (CyT) has reached a ‘milestone’ in its sales career, with more than half of the company’s wine revenues stemming from higher-value products.

Nyetimber announces record year as estate leads the way for English sparkling

Published: 14 February, 2022

The UK’s leading English sparkling wine brand, Nyetimber, enjoyed a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. Following its largest ever harvest, Nyetimber’s UK sales increased by 55% on the previous year. Situated in the south of England, the 30-year-old winemakers saw sales in Europe grow by a whopping 89%.

Pernod Ricard celebrates record breaking sales in first half of fiscal year

Published: 10 February, 2022

Multinational Pernod Ricard has posted record turnover from sales during the first half of the fiscal year (beginning July 2021), earning global revenues of €5,959m, with an organic growth of +17%.

Generation sobriety turns to fine wine for alternative investments

Published: 03 February, 2022

Gen Z investors are turning to fine wine to boost their finances in the wake of the pandemic.

Sotheby’s to offer inaugural sale of fine and rare wine from Napa Valley

Published: 02 February, 2022

In a landmark event, Sotheby’s is to auction a collection of rare bottles from the Napa Valley wine region, organised in partnership with Napa Valley Vintners.

Five minutes with Jerome Jacober, Eminent Wines

Published: 01 February, 2022

As the frontrunner of celebrity-endorsed wines with the UB40 Red, Red Wine range, Eminent Wines’ founder and CEO explains to Jo Gilbert how famous faces – and a compelling story – can help brands to stand out.

Arc Inspirations secures financial backing for expansion

Published: 31 January, 2022

Leading bar and restaurant operator Arc Inspirations has signed an agreement with HSBC to borrow £5m, allowing the company to fulfil its plans for expansion and growth.

Easing of testing restrictions 'shot in the arm' for hospitality sector

Published: 25 January, 2022

Yesterday's (24 January) announcement from the government that international visitors to the UK that are vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer be required to test on arrival from February has been welcomed by UKHospitality.

Graham Beck appoints new cellar master

Published: 19 January, 2022

South African sparking wine brand Graham Beck has appointed Pierre de Klerk as their new chef de cave, replacing the incumbent Pieter Ferreira, who has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer.

Bancroft welcomes new English wine agency

Published: 18 January, 2022

UK distributor Bancroft has expanded its English wine portfolio with the addition of Lyme Bay Winery.

Rising consumer confidence suggests hospitality recovery in 2022

Published: 18 January, 2022

New research undertaken by CGA Strategy has recorded a strong desire from consumers to visit on-trade venues, indicating that the sector has successfully allayed fears concerning the Omicron variant.

Bolney Wine Estate acquired by major international

Published: 17 January, 2022

Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has been sold to sparkling wine behemoth Henkell-Freixenet via Freixenet Copestick in the UK.

UK hospitality sector endures 'devastating' Christmas period, says new data

Published: 13 January, 2022

Newly released data from UKHospitality and CGA Strategy paints a grim picture for on-trade businesses, with sales in UK pubs, restaurants and bars falling 60% on Christmas Day, 31% on Boxing Day and 27% on New Year’s Eve, when compared to 2019.

English wine producers named in '50 Most Influential People in British Luxury' list

Published: 12 January, 2022

Ruth and Charles Simpson, founders of Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent, have been named as one of the '50 Most Influential People in British Luxury' in the Walpole Power List 2022.

Consumer interest in no and low products surging

Published: 05 January, 2022

One in three UK drinkers now regularly choose low or no alcohol brands, according to a new survey commissioned by the Portman Group.

New Generation adds Champagne Carbon to its portfolio

Published: 04 January, 2022

Wine importer and wholesaler New Generation has become the exclusive agents of Champagne Carbon, a niche brand created by Alexandre Méa.

Tough Christmas prompts new calls for extended relief for hospitality

Published: 04 January, 2022

New figures from UKHospitality show that pubs, bars and restaurants lost £10,335 on average in the week leading up to Christmas, due to fears over the new Covid-19 variant.